Published: Friday 26 March 2021 Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 25 March 2021 Early Day Motions (EDMs) are motions for which no days have been fixed. The number of signatories includes all members who have added their names in support of the Early Day Motion (EDM), including the Member in charge of the Motion. EDMs and added names are also published on the EDM database at www.parliament.uk/edm [R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared. New EDMs 1698 Opposition and democracy in Turkey Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 3 Chris Stephens Alyn Smith Stewart Malcolm McDonald That this House is deeply concerned by the legal process underway in Turkey to shut down the second largest opposition party in Turkey, the People’s Democratic Party (HDP); notes the case filed by Chief Public Prosecutor Bekir Sahin in the Constitutional Court, which claims that the HDP aimed to disrupt the unity and territorial integrity of the State; understands that the attacks on the HDP are also an attack on the democratic rights of the six million plus citizens of Turkey who voted for them; commends the work being done by the HDP in attempting democratic steps towards a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish question; condemns the Turkish Government for trying to criminalise the democratic voice of millions of its citizens; calls for the immediate release of 11 democratically elected former HDP members of Parliament; calls for the release of the thousands of people imprisoned simply for membership of the peaceful, political HDP; is further deeply concerned by the withdrawal, in the same week of Turkey, from the Istanbul Convention, which seeks to protect women from gender-based violence; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Turkish authorities to halt the continuing assault on democracy, the criminalisation of democratic opposition and the assault on human rights, and to press for a genuine rules-based international community and for human rights compliance amongst UK trading partners. 2 Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS 1699 Jim Ralston of the 1st Loanhead Boys Brigade Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 1 Owen Thompson That this House gives its sincere and heartfelt thanks to Jim Ralston for his twelve years of service as Captain of the 1st Loanhead Boys Brigade and his many years of selfless voluntary work on behalf of them, as well as the local community; recognises Jim as a towering figure of the community whose outstanding and unwavering commitment to the Boys Brigade principles of obedience, reverence, discipline and self-respect has undoubtedly had a profound positive impact on the lives of countless children and young people over the years; notes that Jim has been instrumental in Boys Brigade activities such as competitions, awards and fundraising both in the local community and beyond, including through Project Stedfast, a Boys Brigade charity project which has led to the building of St Andrews School and Disabled Centre in Oloolua Ngong, Kenya; further notes that this serves as an example of Jim’s hard-working and selfless nature, compassion for struggling and disadvantaged young people around the world and strength in leadership; and, following Jim’s decision to step down as Captain, warmly wishes him all the very best for the future. 1700 Rental increases for the courtyard societies Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 1 Deidre Brock That this House notes with concern the increase in rent of approximately 3000% between 2012 and 2018, charged by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to the “courtyard societies” - the Geological Society of London, the Linnean Society, the Royal Astronomical Society, and the Society of Antiquaries; further notes that the Geological Society of London, founded in 1807, is the oldest geological society in the world and a world leader in earth sciences; that the Linnean Society was the setting for the launch of Darwin's theory of evolution, and that the courtyard societies continue to promote learning in the modern age; and calls on the Government to reverse the rent increases and offer long-term security to these societies as an investment in scientific endeavour and the betterment of humankind. 1701 Thomas Harold - Boys Brigade Captain Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 1 Chris Stephens That this House recognises the life and work of Thomas Harold, former Boys Brigade Captain who helped and supported young people across Pollok community for more than 60 years, who passed away on 28 February 2021, aged 71; notes that he was an integral part of the 208th Glasgow Greater Pollok Boys Brigade for over six decades and helped shape the lives of countless young people, spending 50 years as an officer and 27 years as Captain, playing an integral part as Officer in Charge of the Junior Section until his death; and sends our deepest condolences to his many family and friends, including the Boys Brigade community. 1702 Reusable Nappies Week Tabled: 25/03/21 Signatories: 1 David Linden That this House congratulates all those involved with Reusable Nappies Week 2021; notes with concern the average plastic consumption of single-use nappies per child is equivalent to throwing away 17 plastic bags a day, or over 6,000 per year; acknowledges that nearly three billion nappies Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS 3 are thrown away annually in the UK, costing local authorities £60 million per annum for disposal; recognises that reducing reliance on single-use nappies supports the objectives of the 25 Year Environment Plan to eliminate all avoidable waste by 2050 and all avoidable plastic waste by 2042; welcomes that reusable nappies use 98 per cent fewer raw materials, generate 99 per cent less waste and can save families over £1000 if used on one or more children; further notes with interest the recent publication of the UN Environment Programme report recommending the use of reusable nappies; understands that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has commissioned a new Life Cycle Assessment on the environmental impact of single-use and reusable nappies; and calls on the Department to ensure that this is conducted thoroughly and that it is followed up with a coherent strategy to address the impact of single-use nappies. Added Names Below are EDMs tabled in the last two weeks to which names have been added. Only the first 6 names and any new names are included. 1640 Peace and accountability in Libya Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 8 Margaret Ferrier Jonathan Edwards Steven Bonnar Jim Shannon John McDonnell Hywel Williams Marion Fellows That this House welcomes the UN-sponsored intra-Libyan political talks to agree a unified governance framework and ensure a lasting peace; notes with deep concern the serious war crimes and human rights violations that have been committed by the warring parties in the protracted conflict in Libya since 2011; stresses the importance of justice for the many victims of these widespread violations, by ensuring there are effective investigations and prosecutions of the alleged perpetrators, believed to include British nationals who were former Royal Marine commandos and involved in mercenary operations for the Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar; further notes the reports of drone strikes and attacks on civilians in Libya and other violations committed by foreign countries which should also be investigated; supports the work of the Fact-finding Mission on Libya established by the UN Human Rights Council, and other initiatives to ensure meaningful accountability; further supports the call by the UN Mission in Libya for the immediate closure of migrant detention centres in that country, further to reports of arbitrary detention, torture, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence; and urges the Government to work with others in the international community to secure accountability for these violations and for countries and mercenaries, including British nationals, who have supported the warring parties. 4 Friday 26 March 2021 EARLY DAY MOTIONS 1647 Reduction of free plastic toys Tabled: 15/03/21 Signatories: 14 Liz Saville Roberts Hywel Williams Ben Lake Jonathan Edwards Kirsty Blackman Jim Shannon Jeremy Corbyn That this House recognises the efforts of ten-year-old Skye Neville from Fairbourne, Gwynedd for her campaign encouraging magazine and comic publishers to stop giving away plastic toys with their publications; further recognises that nearly three thousand people have so far signed her online petition drawing attention to the devastating impact discarded plastic is having on our oceans and natural environment; applauds Skye for her passionate advocacy of environmental issues, her involvement in local litter picks and her family’s commitment to recycling; welcomes steps by fast food giant McDonalds to stop putting plastic toys in their Happy Meals; and calls on the Government to encourage publishers to make their magazines more environmentally friendly and reduce their carbon footprint. 1652 Impact of allowing gene-editing and divergence from EU food standards Tabled: 16/03/21 Signatories: 28 Grahame Morris Ian Mearns Claudia Webbe Jim Shannon Navendu Mishra Paula Barker Jon Cruddas That this House has grave concerns over the Government’s proposal to authorise in England the use of gene-editing technologies in agriculture and food and drink manufacturing; notes that, since Brexit, any substantial regulatory divergence between the UK and EU poses a major threat to UK exports into European markets, and also for the export of goods from